Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-12-16
SAND KACHELNG.
Vessels PropsrIsa by me Wtna fOg. sport
land
london Exchanged

| [London Exchanged
The sport Of yachting, in the ordi-
nary sense Of the term, dates back to
the commencement of the fifteenth CEN
| fury, and the force Of the wind has been
utilized for assisting the propulsion Of
carriages in Eastern countries from time
mmemorial; but the use of swift sail
ing vehicles, capable Of being manusu-
vered like ships at sea, and devoted en-
tirely to pleasure purposes, Is quite 81
modern departure. Southport is the
locality par excellence for sand yacht
ing, the great stretches Of firm, smooth
sand along this part Of the Lancashire
coast affording ample "sea" room for
the evolutiOns Of these singular and
| somewhat ghosIly looking craft.
The sand yacht is simple In construc-
ton. consisting essentially of a long,
narrow body, with seats along the sides
for passengers, mounted on four wooden
wheels The back wheels Of a sand
yacht serve exactly the same purpose
As rudder of a boat. The wheels are
strongly built, with wide treads to pre-
vent their sinking in the sand when
passing over soft places, and are covered
with splash-boards in the usual man
ner. The yachts are of diffen emit sizes,
some being able to accommodate about
twenty people, though they rarely
carry so many. The smaller craft are
cutter rugged, with large mainsail and
| jibsail stretched from the point of a
bowsprit some six feet long, projecting
from the frcnt axle.
The larger yachts have two masts
carrying Inainsal, foresail, and jib.
The sails. rigging, and running gear ara
almost identical with those common on
boats and small yachts, the spread Of
canvas beng about the same as on
racing boats of equal length. Local
fishermen form the crews, the cutters
being manned by two and the schooners
by three men.
Whom sand yacht is ready for a
cruise, with all sail set and her compile
ment Of passengers aboard, the steers
man takes his place at the helm, while
his mate gives the craft q start by
placing his back to the front axle and
pressing against the sand with his feet.
| When he feels that she is fairly under
weigh he climbs nimbly on board and
seats himself or stands near the mast,
his duty being to attend to the jib sheet
and keep a sharp lookout ahead, while
the helmsman directs the course and
looks after the main sheet.
If there is a good breeze the yacht
soon acquires considerable velocity,
which is liable, however to continual
variation, according to the force of the
wind and the state of the sand At one
time, with a fresh breeze and firm,
smooth bottom, she may be gliding
along at perhaps q rate of twenty miles
an hour. Directly afterward a IuII in
the wind, and soft or rough sand may
reduce the speed to seven or eight
miles. Regarding the maximum speeds
attained, the fisherman tell some pretty
stiff yarns.
We have heard a hundred miles an
hour spoken of quite seriously; but
there does not seem to be any good
reason for believing that, under the
most favorable circumstances, a velocity
of thirty-fve or forty miles an hour is
ever exceeded. Even this is an enor-
nous speed. and it is plain that We
hicles moving at anything approaching
such q rate, must be handled in a care
ful manner to avoid accidents. And
here We may say that the addition of
powerful brakes to the front wheels
would be an improvement. So far as
we have noticed, none Of the yachts are
at present fitted with these useful ap-
pliances.
The sand yachts are able to proceed
against the wind by lacking, OF max
ing a zig-zag course. With a stiff
breeze they sail very close to the wind,
and have a great advantage over their
sisters Of the sea in not making any
"leeway.S The operation Of putting
about" must be done quickly. or there
viii be a chance of missing stays,
and as a matter of fact, the change
from one tack to the other is effected
so smoothly that the unwary passenger
is apt to find himself sitting in the
sand. as the yacht sails gracefully away
on her new course.
Now and then a patch Of sand,
deeply furrowed by the receding tide,
may be crossed, when the motion be-
comes disagreeably rough. But, on the
whole, the movement is smooth and
pleasant, and without doubt sand yacht
ing provides a healthful and interest
ing means Of seaside recreation.